Feature Project Idea:  Interactive Reading Maps

"Our PDIG  proposed ways toaddress the Media Pursuit of the Advanced 5 Balanced Literacy Framework by creating an interactive map for students to track their reading experiences and consequently their learning. Essentially, we are hoping that students will locate their various texts on a world map and use places on their map to talk about how their texts contribute to a broader cultural conversation." 

Read more about Ruwani and Heather's project in our blog entry:
Interactive Reader Maps in the English Language Arts Classroom

View the following English language Arts (ELA) sample Cartograf mapping scenarios, based on Heather and Ruwani’s project,  on Cartograf here:

Take Me to Your Culture!
Map your Literature Circle Novel
Map your Author
Trace the Voyage of the Odeyak

Spoken Word Resources

Spoken word inspires students to follow the writing process to produce poetry they are passionate about. From brainstorming, writing, and editing to performance of a polished piece, engage your students in contemporary themes and topics. Spoken word is a dynamic way to get students to achieve ELA competencies - read, write and talk!

Ten Things to be True (brainstorm activity) - Download 

Introduction to Spoken Word - Download 

Spoken Word Rubric - Download 

Poetry Analysis Tool - Download 

Peer Evaluation Tool - Download

Open Mic Checklist - Download

Register for the Quebec Youth Slam Qualifiers here! - Registration Link

Producing a Podcast

Tools to scaffold the podcast production process – Graphic organizers to storyboard, write a script, and have a clear plan.

• Podcast Planner: Beginning, Middle and End.  Download 
• Script and Soundtrack Planner.  Download 
• Enhanced Podcast Storyboard.  Download 

DWAC - Differentiating Writing Across the Curriculum

Differentiating Writing Across the Curriculum (DWAC) is a toolkit to scaffold student writing across genres.  From autobiography to article, photo essay to fantasy – DWAC includes graphic organizers and more to help avoid writer’s block.

• Teacher's Guide. Download 
• Story Samples. Download 

Response Cards and Guide

Students don’t know what to say? Get the conversation moving with response cards.  Includes a teacher guide with tips on using it in the classroom.

• Teacher Guide. Download 
• Response Cards. Download 

Problem Solving Cards

An activity to get students writing and responding from different points of view.  Each activity has instructions, links to the QEP (Broad Areas of Learning and Cross-Curricular Competencies), and teacher tools.

• Teacher Handbook. Download 
• Problem Solving Cards. Download 

How To - English Language Arts

Clever tutorials aimed at students to help them communicate through different genres.

• Write a letter. Go to page 
• Write an autobiography. Go to page 
• Write an article. Go to page 
• Create a comic. Go to page 
• How to do an oral presentation. Go to page 
• Create a reference list. Go to page